Crew & Pilots with first XB-35
Ground crew and pilots stand in front of the first Northrop XB-35 bomber at Northrop Aircraft Co. On June 25, 1946 the XB-35 Flying Wing bomber lifted from the runway at the Northrop Aircraft Co. and made its maiden flight to Edwards AFB (then Muroc Army Air Field).

Northrop Aviation YB-35 airframes in production line
The U.S. government purchased 15 B-35s, two experimental planes and 13 service test versions. An order for 200 production models was canceled. In this photo, probably taken late in 1948, several YB-35 airframes are in the process of being converted to jet power.

Northrop XB-35 Flying Wing on its maiden flight
The Northrop XB-35 Flying Wing on its maiden flight, headed to Muroc Army Air Field (now Edwards AFB) on 25 June, 1946, escorted by a company P-61 Black Widow. Shortly after this photograph was taken, the P-61 experienced a severe engine fire and crashed, Its crew parachuted to safety.

Northrop XB-35 Flying Wing, maiden flight
Another view of the first Northrop XB-35 Flying Wing on its maiden flight, taken from a P-61 chase plane. This view clearly shows its very high thrust line of 30 degrees, the XB-35 Flying Wing bomber lifted from the runway at Northrop Aircraft Company and made its maiden flight to Edwards AFB then "Muroc Army Air Field" June 25, 1946.

Northrop XB-35 on takeoff
Taken from the escorting P-61, the XB-35's eight contra-rotating propellers are seen to advantage. Four Pratt & Whitney R-4360 Wasp Major engines each drove a pair of four-bladed propellers rotating in opposite directions by means of an extension shaft and specialized gear box. Unfortunately, chronic problems with the propeller governors and the complicated gear boxes doomed the innovative bomber to early extinction.
The basic concept was sound, however, and its 172-foot wingspan, sweepback angle, and total wing surface area were virtually identical to the B-2 which appeared decades later.

Side view Northrop XB-35 Flying Wing
Side view of the Northrop XB-35 Flying Wing ready for takeoff during early test flight, clearly showing the slots in the leading edge, note the bystanders watching from the other side of the fence.

XB-35 during flight testing "Muroc Air Field"
Northrop XB-35 "Flying Wing" early in its flight test program, still using its original contra-rotating propellers. Notice that the spinners on the port side have been removed. Edwards AFB (Muroc Army Air Field).

XB-35 Flying Wing during maiden flight to Edwards AFB
On June 25, 1946, Northrop XB-35 Flying Wing bomber lifted from the run way of the Northrop Aircraft Co. and made its maiden flight to Edwards AFB (then Muroc Army Air Field). The radical new bomber was accompanied on the flight by a Northrop P-61 Black Widow. Shortly after this photo was taken, the P-61 chase plane caught fire, forcing its crew to parachute to safety.